Drug and Alcohol Policies

George Mason University

University Alcohol Abuse Policy

1. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to those locations and circumstances authorized by university policy.
2. Alcohol possession or consumption is prohibited in any residence hall room or suite where all residents assigned to that space are under the age of 21. Students over the age of 21 may possess alcoholic beverages in accordance with established university policy.
3. No alcoholic beverages may be consumed in public areas of residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to hallways, study rooms and lounges.
4. All first time offenses of this policy by residential students, except those involving severe intoxication and/or emergency medical response, will normally be adjudicated a hearing officer within the Office of Housing & Residence Life. All offenses by non-resident students will normally be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
5. Sanctions assigned by hearing officers from the Office of Housing & Residence Life will be primarily educational, but may include a housing assignment change, referral to the Office of Student Conduct, eviction from housing, or suspension from the university.
6. All cases involving severely intoxicated students and/or police or emergency medical responses will normally be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. The hearing officer may mandate an evaluation by the Office of Alcohol, Drug, & Health Education, or an equivalent outside agency.
7. Sanctions imposed by the Office of Student Conduct will be designed to offer assistance in overcoming an identified problem. While the purpose of sanction will be educational and remedial, it may be appropriate to remove the student from the residence halls or from the University.
8. The University will encourage parental involvement whenever there is a repeat offense or when the first offense indicates a serious problem. This involvement will be in accord with the provisions of the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act.

Updated 8/11

University Drug Abuse Policy

1. Use and/or possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia are prohibited on the campuses of George Mason University. Use and/or possession and distribution of prescription drugs without proper medical documentation is within the scope of this policy. Violation of this community standard will be considered a serious offense. Implementation of this policy will be in accord with established university procedures as contained in the Code of Student Conduct.
2. The University Police will enforce all applicable local, state, and federal laws in accord with established standing orders, procedures and guidelines.
3. There will be a university review of all reports of drug offenses involving George Mason University students. Action under the Code of Student Conduct will neither prejudice nor be prejudiced by action taken in the criminal justice system.
4. Any student found responsible for a violation of law or regulation involving illegal drugs may, at the discretion of the hearing officer, be required to undergo an evaluation administered by personnel of the University’s Office of Alcohol, Drug & Health Education prior to re-admittance to the University.
5. The housing status of a resident student found in violation of a campus drug regulation will be determined by the hearing officer. Guests and visitors found responsible of violating a campus drug regulation while in a residence hall will likely be issued a trespass order prohibiting their presence in any and all residential buildings of the George Mason University campuses. This trespass order will be in effect for a minimum of one calendar year.
6. In addition to a one year eviction and trespass from campus residence halls, the standard sanction for a student’s first violation involving possession or use of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia is likely to be suspension from the University for a minimum of one academic semester.
7. Any student found responsible for a violation involving sale or possession of an illegal substance, including prescription drugs, with intent to distribute is likely to be permanently separated from the University.
8. Any student found responsible for use or possession of an illegal drug other than marijuana, including prescription drugs, is likely to be suspended from the University for a minimum of one year. The suspended student may be asked to provide evidence of successful completion of a drug treatment program prior to reinstatement.

Updated 8/11

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